Survey finds 2.3 million workers have taken a fake sick day over the past year

Half of Australians fake sick leave0:34

Research has revealed as many as half of Australians are taking sick leave while in good health.
From the 500 workers surveyed, top causes for taking sick leave include seeing family, extending weekends or resting from hangovers.
Thirty per cent of the survey group weren't receiving the four weeks of annual leave - the minimum entitlement.

January 15th 2018

10 months ago

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Almost 20 per cent of Aussie workers have taken a sickie over the past year. Picture: iStockSource:istock

A NEW survey has uncovered Australia’s great “sickie” shame — and revealed which workers are more likely to take a fake sick day.

According to jobs website adzuna.com.au, 2.3 million Australian workers — or 18.5 per cent of the working population — have taken an illegitimate sick day over the past year alone.

According to the research, workers in PR, advertising and marketing were the biggest offenders, with 23 per cent of employees in those industries owning up to taking an illegitimate day off work.

Finance workers came in second place with 23 per cent admitting to taking a sickie, while hospitality workers were the country’s most honest workers, with just 13 per cent taking a day off for fake illness.

Workers from NSW were the most likely to take a sickie, followed by those from Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory. Tasmania and the ACT was not included in the survey.

NSW takes the crown for the sickie state, with a staggering 23 per cent of workers admitting to chucking a sickie over the past year. Picture: AdzunaSource:Supplied

The top reasons for chucking a sickie include employees being “too tired” for work, boredom, having another job interview, wanting to use up accrued sick leave and needing to recover from a hangover.

Other popular excuses include being in a bad mood, wanting a mental health day, feeling like going fishing or surfing, and avoiding a workplace bully.

But Adzuna CEO Raife Watson warned workers not to burn through their sick leave as they might truly fall ill down the track.

“Just last year we were hit with that awful flu epidemic. If you use up all your sick days before the colder months you might find yourself caught short if a bout of flu hits, which can take weeks to get over,” Mr Watson said.

“It’s always better to be completely honest with your boss about why you are taking a day off.

“If you’re a good employee and have a solid relationship, then the odd ‘I can’t make it in today’ will not be met with disdain from the boss.”

Mr Watson urged employees to be considerate when taking leave.

“If you are going to take a day off and deadlines are looming, just make sure you pass over the work to a colleague,” he said.

The survey also found 12 per cent of people who took a day off over a fake sickness ended up being caught out by their boss, with 37.5 per cent of people busted getting an official warning for their behaviour, and 13 per cent losing their jobs.

According to Mr Watson, if you are feeling unwell but not sick enough for an actual day off, it might pay to ask for a “work from home day” as a compromise.

Workers should then prepare a list of tasks that will be completed from home and send it to a manager for approval.

If you do need a sick day, he said it was essential to hand over any urgent work to another colleague via a quick email to save your co-workers from unnecessary stress caused by your absence.

Finally, Mr Watson said honesty was always the best policy, as being caught out in a sickie lie will ultimately damage your reputation at work.

He said most bosses would understand that workers need to take a break occasionally, and honesty will boost their trust and confidence in you in future.